Patents Issued in August 12, 2021
  • Publication number: 20210245832
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes an enclosure member. The enclosure member has an inflow path which guides oil from the outside to the inside. The inflow path is arranged so that an axis of the inflow path deviates from a central axis of a rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoya KUROIWA, Yosuke MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20210245833
    Abstract: A bicycle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control an operational state of an electric auxiliary drive to a manual drive driving force inputted to the bicycle. The electric auxiliary drive assists in travel of a bicycle based on an operational state of a suspension of the bicycle. The electronic controller controls the operational state so that the bicycle is assisted at an assist ratio of the electric auxiliary drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Atsushi KOMATSU, Yuta KUROKAWA, Shingo SAKURAI
  • Publication number: 20210245834
    Abstract: A balanced motorcycle powertrain is described. Embodiments of the balanced motorcycle powertrain include components mounted to a frame of a motorcycle such that the powertrain can be evenly balanced about a centerline of the frame. The balanced motorcycle powertrain can include, but is not limited to, a motor, a transmission, a pair of clutches, a clutch shaft, a crank shaft, a pair of superchargers, a pair of chains, a pair of rear sprockets, and a rear wheel. Each of the components can be oriented such that the powertrain is substantially balanced about the centerline of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Harry Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20210245835
    Abstract: A method for controlling a derailleur in low battery remaining capacity includes determining whether a remaining capacity of a first battery of the derailleur is smaller than or equal to a first derailleur battery threshold. When the remaining capacity of the first battery is determined to be smaller than or equal to the first derailleur battery threshold, at least one of gear positions of the derailleur is invalided and non-selectable by the derailleur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Hsun-Yu CHUANG, Hung-Jui LIN, I-Chun LIAO
  • Publication number: 20210245836
    Abstract: A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt or chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt or chain via a toggle and slider mechanism, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt or chain out of the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: David M. EARLE, William A. HILGENBERG, David ALLEN, Kyle BENNETT, Ryan Kent MILLER
  • Publication number: 20210245837
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle, comprising an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, and exhaust system. The exhaust system is positioned within an interior of the frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20210245838
    Abstract: A boat in which at least a portion of at least one of the port side and the starboard side of the hull is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the moveable portion forms a generally upright portion of the port or starboard side of the hull, and, in the second position, the moveable portion forms a generally horizontal deck surface. A walkway connects a seating area within the boat to an area aft of the seating area, and at least a portion of the walkway is adjacent to the moveable portion of the port or starboard side. A first seat is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the walkway and a removable seat is configured to be positioned over the walkway and adjacent to the first seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nick P. Waters, David F. Ekern, Paul M. Harrison, Chadrick E. Curts
  • Publication number: 20210245839
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes recreational watercraft that provide a ballast system and an open platform passenger deck. An example is an aluminum hull including a ballast system to regulate displacement by the recreational watercraft and an open platform passenger deck as an integral upper surface to the aluminum hull. Multiple sides, continuous from the aluminum hull, include a stern side, a bow side, a port side, and a starboard side that surround a perimeter of the open platform passenger deck. An inboard power plant is located within a stern portion of the aluminum hull to propel the recreational watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Overbye, Abdul Hameed Khanzada
  • Publication number: 20210245840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor fastener arrangement (10a-f) for holding a sensor device (3). The sensor fastener arrangement (10a-f) comprises a plurality of fastener elements (20a, 20b). The fastener elements (20a, 20b) are configured to arrange the sensor device (3) to a platform (1). Respective fastener element (20a, 20b) is rigid in a first state and reversibly deformable in a second state. When the platform (1) of the sensor device (10a-f), and/or the sensor device (3), is exposed to an impact force, in turn exposing a fastener element (20a, 20b) to a compressive force exceeding a critical load of that fastener element (20a, 20b), the fastener element (20a, 20b) goes from being in the first state to temporarily being in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jan RYDEN, Johan OESTBERG
  • Publication number: 20210245841
    Abstract: Mooring tensioning arrangement (10) on a vessel (60), comprising a moonpool (20) having a through miming vertical channel with an upper moonpool opening (22) in proximity to a deck (62) of the vessel (60), and a bottom moonpool opening (24) open to surrounding sea (30). A winch (14) is located above the moonpool (20), wherein a first anchor wire pennant (42) runs from the winch (14), over a stern (64) of the vessel (60) and into sea (30), and a second anchor wire pennant (46) runs from the winch (14), through the moonpool (20) and into the sea (30). A wire/chain stopper (18) securing the second anchor wire pennant (46) is placed in the moonpool (20), and the bottom moonpool opening (24) is curved to match bending Oradius and to provide a transition in direction of the second anchor wire pennant (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Tor Sævik, Johnny Lorgen, André Larsen, Martijn De Jongh
  • Publication number: 20210245842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (2), having: a buoyant buoy (4), and a floating hose (6) which has a plurality of buoyant hose segments (8) which are coupled in series. The buoy (4) has a liquid outlet connection (12) which is connected to the floating hose (6), so that the floating hose (6) is arranged in a geometrical arrangement with respect to the buoy (4). A plurality of node units (18) are fastened in a distributed manner to the floating hose (6) and the buoy (4). Each node unit (18) is designed to establish, by means of an associated radio unit, a respective radio link (22, 24, 26, 28) to each of at least two of the further radio units of the respective node units (18, 42, 44, 46, 48), so that a radio network (30) is created. Each node unit (18) is designed to determine a relative distance (32, 34, 36, 38) from each further node unit (18) on the basis of the respective radio link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Staton, Ali Kambiez Zandiyeh, Simon Bishop
  • Publication number: 20210245843
    Abstract: A mixed rope used for oceanographic buoy mooring system, comprises mixed core rope of metal and fiber and cover rope, wherein, the mixed core rope of metal and fiber comprises metal coil spring and fiber supporting core inside the metal coil spring; the cover rope is woven of several number of twisted strand; the mass content of the mixed core rope of metal and fiber is not greater than 20% of the mass of mixed rope, the mass content of the cover rope is not less than 80% of the mass of the mixed rope. Mixed rope used for oceanographic mooring system disclosed in present embodiments has small linear density and high fracture strength, may be used as data communication channel from under-water sensor to the over-water receiver, being soft, light and easy to deploy, the mixed rope can be used as the upper part of the oceanographic buoy mooring system with prospective application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Lin ZHU, Ming SHEN, Bingtao SONG
  • Publication number: 20210245844
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes recreational watercraft including a drop down boarding point. One example includes a hull, an open platform passenger deck, and a plurality of sides, continuous from the hull. The watercraft includes a panel drop down boarding point, hingedly attached horizontally to the hull, for ingress and egress of persons to the watercraft. The panel drop down boarding point includes a first surface interior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, a second surface, opposite to the first surface and exterior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, and an aperture formed between the first surface and the second surface and having an opening in an end surface of the panel drop down boarding point. The aperture is sized and shaped to house a retractable ladder and for the ladder to extend out through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Overbye, Abdul Hameed Khanzada
  • Publication number: 20210245845
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide for offloading liquefied gas, e.g. liquefied natural gas (LNG), from a cargo vessel offshore and regasifying the offloaded gas. In example systems, a floating storage unit is moored to the seabed offshore; first tubing offloads liquefied gas from the cargo vessel to the storage unit; a jack-up platform is positioned offshore in proximity to the floating storage unit, the jack-up platform comprising legs which are arranged to be supported on the seabed and a hull which is arranged to be jacked up along the legs to a position above the sea surface; a regasification facility is provided on the jack-up platform; second tubing extends between the storage unit and the regasification facility of the jack-up platform for transferring liquified gas from the cargo vessel to the regasification facility for regasification of the liquified gas; and third tubing communicates regasified gas away from the regasification facility, e.g. to shore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Stena Power & LNG Solutions AS
    Inventor: Svein Børge Hellesmark
  • Publication number: 20210245846
    Abstract: An offshore transfer system for transferring persons and/or cargo between a transfer vessel and an offshore object, includes the transfer vessel having a docking position with a mooring element. The offshore object includes a docking arm, in particular a gangway, that at a free end is provided with a coupling device. The docking position on the transfer vessel has its mooring element at least partly compensated for transfer vessel motions, at least during a docking operation, and includes one or more force actuators for moving the mooring element relative to the transfer vessel, one or more sensors for detecting motions of the transfer vessel, and a control unit for driving the one or more force actuators such that the motions of the transfer vessel get at least partly compensated for the mooring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Reinout Klaar Norfolc Jaap Prins, Bastiaan Theodorus Spruit
  • Publication number: 20210245847
    Abstract: An inflatable watercraft of the kayak type including a hull including: a longitudinal bottom comprising a central longitudinal edge and two lateral longitudinal sides, so as to have a V-shaped cross section, the bottom comprising at least one inflatable shell, and a stiffening upper structure comprising two lateral longitudinal inflatable shells and at least one transverse element mounted between the two lateral inflatable shells, each lateral inflatable shell being mounted on one of the lateral longitudinal sides of the longitudinal bottom, in which each of the two lateral inflatable shells comprises two superimposed walls, each of said walls including a textile mat and being connected together by a multitude of connecting threads distributed over the entire surface of said mats while forming a structure suited to be inflated to a pressure capable of stiffening said structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nicolas SENIE, Emmanuelle PION, Diego CASAS
  • Publication number: 20210245848
    Abstract: Recreational watercraft and methods of operating recreational watercraft are described. Recreational watercraft can include an aluminum hull, a plurality of ballast tanks, a first surface defining a first opening that extends from an interior of a ballast tank of the plurality of ballast tanks to an exterior of the hull, a valve configured to selectively open or close the first opening, and a second surface defining a second opening that is fixed permanently open and extends from an interior of the ballast tank through a bottom portion of the hull to an exterior of the hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Overbye, Abdul Hameed Khanzada
  • Publication number: 20210245849
    Abstract: A storage structure is configured to be buoyant or retained above a water line. The storage structure includes a frame having a back beam, a left beam attached to the back beam, a right beam attached to the back beam and a front beam attached to the left beam and the right beam to form a substantially rectangular configuration, wherein prior to a last of the beams being secured together an interior space accessible through an opening. The storage structure includes a bladder configured to be positioned through the interior space though the opening wherein the bladder is sized to be retained within the interior space whether the storage structure is above the water line or buoyant, the bladder including a vent, a fill port and a drain wherein an amount of water within the bladder is manipulated to provide ballast or buoyancy to the storage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory M. Zierke
  • Publication number: 20210245850
    Abstract: A boat stand to support a boat above a support surface. The boat stand includes a support column and a top pad pivotally mounted to the support column. The top pad includes a plate, a mount with a receptacle that receives a head of the support column, and at least one wing with an opening to connect a chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Grady F. Smith, Lennart Hans Carlsson
  • Publication number: 20210245851
    Abstract: A buoyancy generator for a vehicle may include a housing detachably mounted on a vehicle, a buoyancy generating unit mounted in the housing and including a tube configured to be inflated and deployed to an outside of the housing and a gas supply connected to the tube and configured to supply inflation gas to the tube during operation, and a handle unit provided in the housing and having a handle to be operated to deploy the tube so that the tube floats to a water surface due to buoyancy of the tube to allow an occupant gripping the handle to float to the water surface together with the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Ho Hwang, Sang Heon Lee
  • Publication number: 20210245852
    Abstract: A first reducing stage for two-stage regulator assemblies includes a first chamber for a high-pressure breathable gas; a second chamber for the breathable gas at an intermediate pressure; a pressure reducing valve connecting the two chambers and having a valve seat with an opening for communication between the two chambers; and a plug cooperating with the valve seat and dynamically connected to a sensor exposed to water to the outer water pressure. The sensor is at least partly accommodated in a housing chamber defined by one or more elements cooperating to provide support and partial movement constraint to the sensor, and forming the housing chamber and/or at least part of the sensor. The one or more elements are made of a material or a combination of materials having thermal conductivity lower than a metal material, and mechanical properties that do not affect correct operation compared to metal materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Sergio Angelini
  • Publication number: 20210245853
    Abstract: An electric outboard motor includes an outboard motor main body that includes an electric motor and a tiller handle that turns together with the outboard motor main body with respect to a hull. The tiller handle includes a handle bar that turns together with the outboard motor main body with respect to the hull, an accelerator grip that is rotatable with respect to the handle bar and that is rotated when the electric motor is rotated, and a shift switch located closer to a distal end of the accelerator grip with respect to a proximal end of the accelerator grip and that is operated when a shift state of the outboard motor main body is switched between a forward mode and a reverse mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Yuki YAMAGUCHI, Yoshimasa KAN
  • Publication number: 20210245854
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing fuel efficiency in an integrated hybrid power system for a marine vessel, the integrated hybrid power system including multiple energy storage units and at least one engine-driven power generator coupled with a power distribution grid. The method includes: determining whether a consumer load on the power distribution grid is greater than a rated maximum efficiency loading of the power generator; starting the power generator when the consumer load is greater than the maximum efficiency loading and/or a charge level of the energy storage units is below a lower threshold value; maintaining a constant load on the power generator equal to the maximum efficiency loading despite fluctuations in consumer load; and shutting down the power generator when the consumer load is less than or equal to the maximum efficiency loading and the charge level of the energy storage units is greater than or equal to the lower threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Trygve Johannes Økland
  • Publication number: 20210245855
    Abstract: A wireless lanyard system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device, the system comprising an operator fob configured to be worn by an operator of the marine vessel, a helm transceiver configured to receive radio signals from the operator fob an a controller. The controller is configured to define a permitted zone with respect to a helm area of the marine vessel based on at least one vessel condition, determine based on communications between the operator fob and the helm transceiver whether the operator is within the permitted zone with respect to the helm area, and generate a lanyard event when the operator is not within the permitted zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Publication number: 20210245856
    Abstract: A method of operating a marine propulsion system (1) in a trolling mode. The marine propulsion system (1) comprises at least one propeller shaft (6) which can be driven by an engine (2), via a pressure operated forward clutch (4), in a forward direction or, via a pressure operated reverse clutch (5), in a reverse direction. A forward pressure is applied to engage the forward clutch (4) to a certain extent and, at the same time, a reverse pressure is applied to engage the reverse clutch (5) to a certain extent. A value of the forward pressure is different from a value of the reverse pressure so that the propeller shaft (6) is caused to rotate in a desired rotational direction. A control unit with mechanism to operate the marine propulsion system according to the method and a marine propulsion system with such a control unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Gabriele DE CEGLIA
  • Publication number: 20210245857
    Abstract: A balloon system including a balloon, and optionally including a payload and/or a safety module. A balloon, preferably including a balloon envelope and one or more passive vents, and optionally including one or more active valves. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including maintaining a zero-pressure balloon condition and sealing balloon vents, and optionally including ascending, descending, and/or otherwise operating the balloon system in flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Taber MacCallum
  • Publication number: 20210245858
    Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a surface, treating a portion of the surface to modify a wettability of the portion of the structure, and forming at least one liquid flow path on the surface through said treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoxi Wang, Thomas Seth Perkins
  • Publication number: 20210245859
    Abstract: A panel assembly (such as for an internal cabin of an aircraft) includes at least one liquid flow path formed on at least one surface through surface treatment. The at least one liquid flow path is formed in relation to at least one bank on the at least one surface. The at least one liquid flow path is configured to divert liquid to a desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Seth Perkins, Xiaoxi Wang
  • Publication number: 20210245860
    Abstract: The technology described herein relates to autonomous aerial vehicle technology and, more specifically, to environment illumination for autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. In some embodiments, a UAV includes upward-facing image capture devices, downward-facing image capture devices, one or more illumination sources, and a computer system. The computer system is configured to direct the one or more illumination sources to selectively emit light into a surrounding physical environment while the UAV is in flight, process images captured by any one or more of the plurality of upward-facing image capture devices or the plurality of downward-facing image capture devices to estimate a position and/or orientation of the aerial vehicle, generate a planned trajectory for the aerial vehicle through a physical environment based on the processing of the images, and control a propulsion system and/or flight surface of the aerial vehicle to cause the aerial vehicle to autonomously maneuver along the planned trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Parker Bry, Abraham Galton Bachrach, Kevin Patrick Smith O'Leary, Asher Mendel Robbins-Rothman, Zachary Albert West, Daniel Thomas Adams, Christopher Brian Grasberger, Enyu Luo, Benjamin Scott Thompson
  • Publication number: 20210245861
    Abstract: An assembly that comprises a first part and a second part. The second part comprises a non-faying surface facing the base surface, a plurality of faying surfaces manifested at bosses that are shimmed if and as required, and a plurality of second through-holes. A width of each one of the plurality of bosses is equal to or greater than 2(r+T tan ?), where r is a maximum radial dimension of an outermost peripheral portion of a fastener in contact with the first part or the second part, T is the distance from the point of contact, between a fastener and the first part or the second part, and a faying surface of a corresponding boss, and ? is an angle between a central axis of the corresponding second through-hole and an outermost load vector initiating at the point of contact between the fastener and the first part or the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Brett D. Whitmer, William H. Graham, Evelyne Van Ingelghem
  • Publication number: 20210245862
    Abstract: Adaptive airfoils are disclosed. A disclosed example airfoil for use with a vehicle includes first and second skins at least partially defining an exterior of a vehicle, where the first skin includes first and second pivots, and where the second skin includes third and fourth pivots, a first arm extending between the first and third pivots, where the first arm is rotatable about the first and third pivots, a second arm extending between the second and fourth pivots, where the second arm is rotatable about the second and fourth pivots, and a closeout including fifth and sixth pivots rotatably coupled to the first and second skins, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick J. Shields, Michael D. Nevinsky
  • Publication number: 20210245863
    Abstract: A manual brake override system includes a gear system, an electric motor in operative communication with the input of the gear system, a holding brake in operative communication with the input of the gear system. The holding brake is configured to prevent movement within the gear system when engaged. A manual handwind is provided in operative communication with the input of the gear system and the manual handwind and holding brake are configured such that the input of the gear system can be driven, with the manual handwind, whilst the holding brake is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Jonathan A. DARBY
  • Publication number: 20210245864
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite beam structure having: an end piece, an end piece outer periphery surface, and an end piece mating end defining an end piece axial boundary, the end piece includes wedge-shaped inner locking features that are formed to project outwardly from the end piece outer periphery surface at the end piece mating end and are spaced apart from one another in the hoop direction; and a composite tube configured to surround at least a portion of the end piece mating end to form a beam joint, wedge-shaped imprints are formed through the composite tube, corresponding to the wedge-shaped inner locking features, the wedge-shaped imprints define respective composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces about a composite tube inner periphery and composite tube wedge-shaped boss surfaces about a composite tube outer periphery, and the wedge-shaped inner locking features of the end piece are covered by the composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Mark R. Gurvich
  • Publication number: 20210245865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating a control surface which is pivotably coupled to a trailing edge of an aircraft wing. The control surface actuation system has a compact footprint and high capability. The control surface actuation system includes a rotatable torque shaft that is coupled (by means of meshed surfaces) to the control surface so that rotation of the torque shaft by a deflection angle causes the control surface to pivot by an equal deflection angle. Rotation of the torque shaft is actuated by a pair of redundant mutually opposing actuation mechanisms. The redundant actuation mechanisms are situated inside of the fuselage, while the torque shaft is disposed partly inside the fuselage and partly inside the control surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wilfredo Alvizures, Randall E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20210245866
    Abstract: A vortex generator system has at least two vortex generators protrudable from an outer mold line of a vehicle surface at a location upstream of a cavity leading edge of a cavity in the vehicle surface. The vortex generators are spaced apart from each other and oriented such that the vortex generator aft ends are nearer to each than the vortex generator forward ends. The vortex generator lengthwise direction of each one of the vortex generators is oriented at a vortex generator directional angle relative to a direction of an airflow. The vortex generators are configured to generate a pair of counter-rotating vortices when the airflow passes over through or over the vortex generators. The counter-rotating vortices interact to produce a downwash of air away from the cavity that urges the store away from the vehicle as the store exits the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Wham Cary, Rene Woszidlo, John Anthony Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20210245867
    Abstract: A landing gear system for an aircraft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a truss frame pivotally connected to a frame of the aircraft and configured to rotate about an axis; a retraction actuator configured to rotate the truss frame about the axis; a first truss link pivotally connected to the truss frame; a second truss link pivotally connected to the first truss link; a truss locking link pivotally connected to the truss frame and to the second truss link; and an articulation actuator configured to pivot the first truss link with respect to the truss frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Acks
  • Publication number: 20210245868
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a landing gear (1) for a light aircraft, i.e. weighing less than 5.7 tonnes, the landing gear consisting of at least one wheel (3) attached to a chassis or to a fuselage of the aircraft by means of a connecting element (2). According to the invention, the wheel (3) is connected to the connecting element (2) via a system (4) of two damping cylinders arranged between the wheel (3) and the connecting element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Beringer Aero
    Inventor: Gilbert BERINGER
  • Publication number: 20210245869
    Abstract: A nose-wheel steering system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an actuator; a strut; and a gearing mechanism operably coupling the actuator to the strut, the gearing mechanism including a steering collar attached to the strut, and idler gear engaged with the actuator and a pinion having a first gear engaged with the idler gear and a second gear engaged with the steering collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber, Ronald Kucera
  • Publication number: 20210245870
    Abstract: A multi-rotor system for providing air thrust is disclosed comprising at least one multi-rotor assembly. The multi-rotor assembly comprising at least two rotors rotatable about a common axis wherein the outer radius of a first rotor is substantially similar to the inner radius of the second rotor. An airborne vehicle is also disclosed that is adapted to perform vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). The airborne vehicle comprising at least two multi-rotor system disposed substantially symmetrically around the center of gravity of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: N.M.B. MEDICAL APPLICATIONS LTD
    Inventors: Oren GLOBERMAN, Mordechay BEYAR
  • Publication number: 20210245871
    Abstract: A helicopter autopilot system includes an inner loop for attitude hold for the flight of the helicopter including a given level of redundancy applied to the inner loop. An outer loop is configured for providing a navigation function with respect to the flight of the helicopter including a different level of redundancy than the inner loop. An actuator provides a braking force on a linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during a power failure. The actuator is electromechanical and receives electrical drive signals to provide automatic flight control of the helicopter without requiring a hydraulic assistance system in the helicopter. The autopilot can operate the helicopter in a failed mode of the hydraulic assistance system. A number of flight modes are described with associated sensor inputs including rate based and true attitude modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: John E. Mercer, Nicholas Albion, Mark Bartel, Marc Feifel, Mark Marvin
  • Publication number: 20210245872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airplane capable of hyper-short/vertical takeoff and landing (hyper-STOL/VTOL) and having non-rotatable vertical propulsions. It attempts to overcome a limitation of QuadPlane design by making efficient use of both horizontal and vertical propulsions during hovering and vertical flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Chung Kiak Poh, Chung How Poh
  • Publication number: 20210245873
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an electric aircraft with a plurality of lift fan assemblies that are configured to provide vertical lift, and one or more pusher propellers that are configured to provide forward thrust. The lift fan assemblies may be coupled to the wings of the aircraft via one or more support structures, and the wings may be coupled to an upper region of the fuselage. The pusher propeller(s) may be coupled to a tailing end of the fuselage. The lift fan assemblies and the pusher propeller(s) may provide thrust and movement in directions that are orthogonal to one another. A control system coupled to the aircraft may control the lift fan assemblies and the one or more pusher propellers to activate, increase in power, and decrease in power. The lift fan assemblies and the one or more pusher propellers may be operated separately, and may be active at different times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: James Joseph Tighe, Uri Tzarnotzky, Geoffrey Alan Long
  • Publication number: 20210245874
    Abstract: A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: ANDREI EVULET
  • Publication number: 20210245875
    Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft is described, comprising a wing with a closed front section; a fuselage, from which said wing extends; said fuselage extending parallel to a first axis; said wing being a non-planar wing closed in on itself and without free ends; said wing comprising a first portion projecting from said fuselage, a second portion spaced from said first portion; and a first and a second connecting section, which are interposed between respective ends of said first portion and of said second portion, said first portion and said second portion being parallel to one another and extending parallel to a second axis orthogonal to said first axis, said first axis being arranged, in use, vertically in a take-off/landing position and inclined with respect to the vertical direction in a cruising position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
  • Publication number: 20210245876
    Abstract: A tail sitter aircraft is described that comprises: a fuselage arranged vertically in a take-off/landing position and transversely to a vertical direction in a cruising position of the aircraft; a single wing; at least two first engines configured to exert respective first thrusts directed along respective first axes on the tail sitter; and at least two second engines rotating about respective second axes arranged above said first axes of the first engines, with reference to the cruising position; the at least two second engines being configured to exert respective second thrusts directed along respective second axes on the tail sitter; the first and second engines being carried by the single wing; the single wing comprises a first portion and a second portion mutually staggered from one another; the second portion being arranged above said first portion, with reference to said cruising position; said first portion comprises two half-wings, extending from opposite lateral sides of the fuselage; the wing furth
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Riccardo Bianco Mengotti
  • Publication number: 20210245877
    Abstract: A pipeline in a controller may be configured to interface between sensors and actuators. The pipeline may elements such as drivers, filters, a combine, estimators, controllers, a mixer, and actuator controllers. The drivers may receive sensor data and pre-process the received sensor data. The filters may filter the pre-processed sensor data to generate filtered sensor data. The combine may package the filtered sensor data to generate packaged sensor data. The estimators may determine estimates of a position of a vehicle based on the packaged sensor data. The controllers may generate control signals based on the determined estimates. The mixer may modify the generated control signals based on limitations of the vehicle. The actuator controllers may generate actuator control signals based on the modified control signals to drive the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Enke
  • Publication number: 20210245878
    Abstract: A drone backpack includes a housing with a harness that attaches to a main body of a drone without modification of the drone. A boom couples with the harness to position a display module in a field of view of a forward-facing camera of the drone. A compute component is located within the housing and includes at least one processor and memory storing machine-readable instructions that are executable by the processor to output information on a screen of the display module. The information is captured by the forward-facing camera of the drone and included in a live video feed transmitted from the drone. The backpack may also include an effector, controllable via the compute component sensing a light status of the drone, and one or more sensors. The backpack augments the drone to enable one or more of a combat game, aerial labelling, low-cost one-time use, and STE(A)M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: LEO KOBAYASHI, DEREK L. MERCK
  • Publication number: 20210245879
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an unmanned aerial vehicle and a method for controlling a gimbal thereof. The method for controlling a gimbal includes: generating, by a flight control system, a yaw angular speed instruction of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and controlling, by a gimbal control system, a yaw axis motor of the gimbal according to the yaw angular speed instruction of the unmanned aerial vehicle. In the present invention, the yaw axis motor of the gimbal is jointly controlled by the flight control system and the gimbal control system, so that advantages of high-precision control and quick response of the gimbal control system are maximized. The advantages are used for compensating for deficiencies of the flight control system in yaw control, thereby improving the stability of a yaw channel of the gimbal, and completely resolving frame freezing of an aerial video when the unmanned aerial vehicle yaws at a low speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Gang CHEN, Tianbao Zhang, Xianhong Jiang
  • Publication number: 20210245880
    Abstract: A control method includes obtaining three-dimensional (3D) spatial information of a target crop area planted with a plurality of target crops; determining spraying control information based on the 3D spatial information; and controlling a spraying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to perform spraying on the plurality of target crops based on the spraying control information. The spraying control information includes a spraying mode for controlling the spraying UAV to perform spraying on one target crop of the plurality of target crops, and the spraying mode includes a flight mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Guang YAN, Xianghua JIA, Dongdong MA, Xinchao LI, Jinsong LI
  • Publication number: 20210245881
    Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua B. Jarvis, Roger W. Lacy, Brian Charles Gray, David H. Mason, Douglas Mikita, Justin Fowler Rogers, Brandon Brown, Eric Hathaway, Eric J. Schulze, Corey Seidel